LASTING POWERS OF ATTORNEY
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document which allows a person to appoint someone they trust to make decisions on their behalf, should they lack mental capacity to do so themselves from an accident, illness or old age.
There are two types of LPA; one for Property and Financial affairs, and the other for Health and Welfare.
Making an LPA with Anderson’s is very straightforward and is one of the most important things that someone can do to protect themselves and their family.
Property & Financial Affairs
An LPA in respect of Property and Financial affairs allows the attorneys to manage the finances of the donor. For example:
- paying bills
- paying any mortgage
- managing their assets
- claiming any benefits
- arranging any repairs to their property
Health & Welfare
A LPA for Health and Welfare may be used when the donor has lost mental capacity, to be able to make decisions regarding:
- their medical care
- any medical treatment
- where they should live
- what activities they should take part in
- what they can eat
A donor may also give special permission for their attorneys to make decisions regarding any life-saving treatment.
What happens if someone loses mental capacity and no LPA's are in place?
Should someone lose the capacity to make decisions regarding their property, finances, health or well-being, they will likely need an application to the court to enable a loved one to make these decisions.
This is an expensive and timely process and could easily be prevented for loved ones by arranging their LPA’s.